With summer here, there’s lots to see and do in the Digby area

For more than 10 years, Weymouth Historical Society has hosted regular teas at the Historical Society building in Weymouth. The former Anglican Church is a Municipal Registered Heritage landmark. The teas are held every Thursday throughout July and August. Doors open at 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm. Expect homemade desserts and sandwiches and, of course, the best tea around in a historic setting.

The whales of the Bay of Fundy attract thousands of visitors annually to take advantage of whale-watching boat trips from Digby, Digby Neck and Long and Brier islands. File

The Town of Digby’s annual Summer Concert Series is always a good time. Local and area musicians perform on the Digby Centre stage overlooking the beautiful marina and wharf.

Admission to the Concert Series is free! So drop by on the following dates: Wednesday, July 14, for singer and songwriter Al Dupuis; Wednesday, July 28, for Jokers Right; Thursday, Aug. 5, for The Grinders; and Wednesday, Aug. 18, for Witchitaw. Shows start at 7 p.m., and don’t forget to bring a chair.

If you are a sailing enthusiast, the SAIL-abration event on July 30-31 is for you. On July 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., there will be a meet-and-greet and silent auction at the Digby Yacht Club. The yacht race starts July 31 at 2 p.m. in Digby harbour. This is a seven-mile race for yacht classes A, B and C. The awards and dinner will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at the club. Please contact the Admiral Digby Museum 245-6322 to reserve your seat.

One of the biggest festivals in the area and a premier event in Nova Scotia is Digby’s Scallop Days. This celebration of community and its famous scallop fleet has become a homecoming event for many since its inception in 1975. There is something for the whole family with buskers, street displays and kids’ activities.

On Saturday, Aug. 7, there is a Grand Street Parade, scallop shucking competitions, fishery displays and numerous activities and events. The five-day festival runs Aug. 4-8 and closes with live music and a fabulous fireworks display on the town waterfront.

Freeport Days is a great day to be on Long Island. This celebration of all things Freeport kicks off with a lobster chowder and barbeque dinner at the new Freeport Fire Hall on Friday, Aug. 20. The next day features a street parade, children’s events and a performance by the Acadian Clickers, accompanied by the Rhythm Bones players. They will be followed by live bluegrass music and a pig roast at the fire hall.

Sunday morning the fire department will host a breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. A special musical church service will be held at the Baptist Church at 10 a.m.

One of the oldest county exhibitions in the Maritimes is the Digby County Exhibition. Started in 1879, this agricultural exhibition set the standard for many exhibitions that followed. The Digby County exhibition is still a traditional rural celebration with 4-H competitions and oxen and horse pulls. There are pie tasting and vegetable competitions and the latest agricultural and traditional farming equipment on display. This is a great opportunity to experience rural country life at its best. Check it out this Aug. 25 – 29 at the Bear River Exhibition grounds.

The 5th annual Wharf Rat Rally is shaping up to be the biggest yet. The event has become the largest of its kind on Canada’s East Coast, and last year attracted nearly 80,000 people over its six days. Biker enthusiasts from all across the Maritimes and as far as Quebec and Ontario participate. The variety of custom bikes on display on the main street in Digby is astounding, truly something to experience. The Wharf Rat Rally takes place Sept. 1–6.

As you can see there are a lot of great festivals and events planned for the summer season. Be a tourist in your own backyard. Get out and enjoy.